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Hirono T, Okudaira M, Takeda R, Ueda S, Nishikawa T, Igawa K, Kunugi S, Yoshimura A, Watanabe K. Association between physical fitness tests and neuromuscular properties. Eur J Appl Physiol 2024; 124:1703-1717. [PMID: 38193907 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-023-05394-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE While various fitness tests have been developed to assess physical performances, it is unclear how these tests are affected by differences, such as, in morphological and neural factors. This study was aimed to investigate associations between individual differences in physical fitness tests and neuromuscular properties. METHODS One hundred and thirty-three young adults participated in various general physical fitness tests and neuromuscular measurements. The appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) was estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Echo intensity (EI) was evaluated from the vastus lateralis. During submaximal knee extension force, high-density surface electromyography of the vastus lateralis was recorded and individual motor unit firings were detected. Y-intercept (i-MU) and slope (s-MU) from the regression line between the recruitment threshold and motor unit firing rate were calculated. RESULTS Stepwise multiple regression analyses revealed that knee extension strength could be explained (adjusted R2 = 0.712) by ASM (β = 0.723), i-MU (0.317), EI (- 0.177), and s-MU (0.210). Five-sec stepping could be explained by ASM (adjusted R2 = 0.212). Grip strength, side-stepping, and standing broad jump could be explained by ASM and echo intensity (adjusted R2 = 0.686, 0.354, and 0.627, respectively). Squat jump could be explained by EI (adjusted R2 = 0.640). Counter-movement jump could be explained by EI and s-MU (adjusted R2 = 0.631). On the other hand, i-MU and s-MU could be explained by five-sec stepping and counter-movement jump, respectively, but the coefficients of determination were low (adjusted R2 = 0.100 and 0.045). CONCLUSION Generally developed physical fitness tests were mainly explained by morphological factors, but were weakly affected by neural factors involved in performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Hirono
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Biomechanics, School of Health and Sport Science, Chukyo University, 101 Tokodachi, Kaizu-cho, Toyota, Aichi, 470-0393, Japan.
- Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Masamichi Okudaira
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Biomechanics, School of Health and Sport Science, Chukyo University, 101 Tokodachi, Kaizu-cho, Toyota, Aichi, 470-0393, Japan
- Faculty of Education, Iwate University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Takeda
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Biomechanics, School of Health and Sport Science, Chukyo University, 101 Tokodachi, Kaizu-cho, Toyota, Aichi, 470-0393, Japan
| | - Saeko Ueda
- Department of Human Nutrition, School of Life Studies, Sugiyama Jogakuen University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Taichi Nishikawa
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Biomechanics, School of Health and Sport Science, Chukyo University, 101 Tokodachi, Kaizu-cho, Toyota, Aichi, 470-0393, Japan
| | - Kaito Igawa
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Biomechanics, School of Health and Sport Science, Chukyo University, 101 Tokodachi, Kaizu-cho, Toyota, Aichi, 470-0393, Japan
| | - Shun Kunugi
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Biomechanics, School of Health and Sport Science, Chukyo University, 101 Tokodachi, Kaizu-cho, Toyota, Aichi, 470-0393, Japan
- Center for General Education, Aichi Institute of Technology, Toyota, Japan
| | - Akane Yoshimura
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Biomechanics, School of Health and Sport Science, Chukyo University, 101 Tokodachi, Kaizu-cho, Toyota, Aichi, 470-0393, Japan
- Faculty of Education and Integrated Arts and Sciences, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kohei Watanabe
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Biomechanics, School of Health and Sport Science, Chukyo University, 101 Tokodachi, Kaizu-cho, Toyota, Aichi, 470-0393, Japan
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Lencioni T, Bandini V, Schenone C, Lagostina M, Aiello A, Schenone A, Ferrarin M, Trompetto C, Mori L. Upper Limbs Muscle Co-Contraction Changes Correlate With The Physical Motor Impairments in CMT. J Neuromuscul Dis 2024; 11:815-828. [PMID: 38669555 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-240006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Background Subjects with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease show hands impairment which is a relevant problem affecting the quality of life. This symptom is related to muscle weakness and reduced motor coordination of the upper limb. However, most studies focus on lower limb impairment, therefore the investigation of upper limb disability is necessary to identify biomarkers able to monitor disease-specific features and to tailor rehabilitation. Objective This study aimed at characterizing upper limb muscle co-contraction using the co-contraction index (CCI) in CMT population. Methods Upper limb kinematic and electromyography (EMG) data were collected from fourteen CMT subjects (6-CMT1A and 8-CMT1X) during motor tasks typical of daily living activities. Rudolph's CCI was used to quantify muscle co-contraction of four muscle pairs acting on shoulder, elbow and wrist. All CMT subjects underwent clinical examination. Thirteen healthy subjects served as the normative reference (HC). Results CMT1X and CMT1A showed a significant reduction in CCI for distal and proximal muscle pairs compared to HC. Furthermore, CMT1A showed greater values of CCI compared to CMT1X mainly for the axial and axial-to-proximal muscle pairs. Movement speed and smoothness were not altered compared to HC. In addition, EMG metrics showed moderate-to-strong significant correlations with clinical outcomes. Conclusions CCI was able to quantify disease-specific deficits with respect to the normative reference, highlighting motor control alterations even before motor output impairment. CCI was also sensitive in detecting CMT subtypes-based differences and adopted compensatory strategies. Our findings suggest that CCI can be an outcome measure for CMT disease monitoring and interventional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Cristina Schenone
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Lagostina
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alessia Aiello
- UOC Medicina Fisica e Riabilitazione, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Angelo Schenone
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Carlo Trompetto
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Laura Mori
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
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Merletti R, Temporiti F, Gatti R, Gupta S, Sandrini G, Serrao M. Translation of surface electromyography to clinical and motor rehabilitation applications: The need for new clinical figures. Transl Neurosci 2023; 14:20220279. [PMID: 36941919 PMCID: PMC10024349 DOI: 10.1515/tnsci-2022-0279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Advanced sensors/electrodes and signal processing techniques provide powerful tools to analyze surface electromyographic signals (sEMG) and their features, to decompose sEMG into the constituent motor unit action potential trains, and to identify synergies, neural muscle drive, and EEG-sEMG coherence. However, despite thousands of articles, dozens of textbooks, tutorials, consensus papers, and European and International efforts, the translation of this knowledge into clinical activities and assessment procedures has been very slow, likely because of lack of clinical studies and competent operators in the field. Understanding and using sEMG-based hardware and software tools requires a level of knowledge of signal processing and interpretation concepts that is multidisciplinary and is not provided by most academic curricula in physiotherapy, movement sciences, neurophysiology, rehabilitation, sport, and occupational medicine. The chasm existing between the available knowledge and its clinical applications in this field is discussed as well as the need for new clinical figures. The need for updating the training of physiotherapists, neurophysiology technicians, and clinical technologists is discussed as well as the required competences of trainers and trainees. Indications and examples are suggested and provide a basis for addressing the problem. Two teaching examples are provided in the Supplementary Material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Merletti
- LISiN, Department of Electronics andTelecommunications, Politecnico di Torino, Torino, 10138, Italy
| | - Federico Temporiti
- Physiotherapy Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Milano, 20089, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milano, 20090, Italy
| | - Roberto Gatti
- Physiotherapy Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Milano, 20089, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milano, 20090, Italy
| | - Sanjeev Gupta
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Faridabad, Haryana, 121004, India
| | - Giorgio Sandrini
- Department of Brain and Behavior Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Mariano Serrao
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Latina, 04100, Italy
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Gabriel DA. Teaching Essential EMG Theory to Kinesiologists and Physical Therapists Using Analogies Visual Descriptions, and Qualitative Analysis of Biophysical Concepts. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:6555. [PMID: 36081014 PMCID: PMC9460425 DOI: 10.3390/s22176555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Electromyography (EMG) is a multidisciplinary field that brings together allied health (kinesiology and physical therapy) and the engineering sciences (biomedical and electrical). Since the physical sciences are used in the measurement of a biological process, the presentation of the theoretical foundations of EMG is most conveniently conducted using math and physics. However, given the multidisciplinary nature of EMG, a course will most likely include students from diverse backgrounds, with varying levels of math and physics. This is a pedagogical paper that outlines an approach for teaching foundational concepts in EMG to kinesiologists and physical therapists that uses a combination of analogies, visual descriptions, and qualitative analysis of biophysical concepts to develop an intuitive understanding for those who are new to surface EMG. The approach focuses on muscle fiber action potentials (MFAPs), motor unit action potentials (MUAPs), and compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) because changes in these waveforms are much easier to identify and describe in comparison to the surface EMG interference pattern (IP).
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Gabriel
- Electromyographic Kinesiology Laboratory, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
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Counter-movement jump characteristics in children with Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1a disease. Gait Posture 2022; 93:218-224. [PMID: 35183839 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2022.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Poor performance in sports, especially activities that require explosive movements, is a common reason for initial presentation of children with Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1a (CMT1a) to the paediatric neuromuscular specialist. RESEARCH QUESTION The aim of this descriptive, retrospective study was to analyse counter-movement jump characteristics in children with CMT1a in comparison to those in typically developing children (TDC). METHODS This retrospective study included seven patients with CMT1a and 44 TDC from our data pool. All the participants performed counter-movement jumps, and jump height, peak force, time to peak force, average and peak rate of force development and net vertical impulse were then calculated. For statistical comparison by means of an independent Student's t-test, children with CMT1a were compared to seven sex- and age-matched TDC. Correlation coefficients were calculated to determine the relationship between the force-time variables and jump height. RESULTS Peak force, net vertical impulse and jump height values in the CMT1a group were significantly lower than those in the TDC group. There were no between-group differences in the time to peak force or average and peak rate of force development. In terms of task symmetry, the correlation between the time-force curve of the left and right leg in the CMT1a group was reduced as compared with that in the TDC group. In both groups, among the parameters measured, there was a significant correlation between jump height and net vertical impulse. SIGNIFICANCE This study showed that reduced jump performance in children with CMT1a, as demonstrated by decreased counter-movement jump height, was due to a reduced net impulse during this explosive movement task. This finding is critical for children with CMT1a and has to be considered in clinical management and activities of daily living (e.g. sports lessons in school).
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Chen M, Zhou P. Automatic decomposition of pediatric high density surface EMG: A pilot study. MEDICINE IN NOVEL TECHNOLOGY AND DEVICES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.medntd.2021.100094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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Kitaoji T, Noto YI, Kojima Y, Tsuji Y, Mizuno T, Nakagawa M. Quantitative assessment of muscle echogenicity in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A by automatic thresholding methods. Clin Neurophysiol 2021; 132:2693-2701. [PMID: 34294566 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2021.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the utility of automatic thresholding methods for quantitative muscle echogenicity assessment as a marker of disease severity in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A). METHODS Muscle ultrasound was performed in 15 CMT1A patients and 7 healthy controls. Muscle echogenicity of six limb muscles in each subject was assessed by 16 automatic thresholding methods and conventional grey-scale analysis. Echogenicity of each method in CMT1A patients was compared with that in controls. A correlation between the echogenicity and CMT neuropathy score (CMTNS) was also analysed in CMT1A patients. RESULTS Significant differences in mean echogenicity of the 6 muscles between CMT1A patients and controls were found both in grey-scale analysis (p < 0.01) and 11 of the 16 automatic thresholding methods (p < 0.05 in each method). In CMT1A patients, mean echogenicity of the 6 muscles was positively correlated with CMTNS in 8 of the 16 automatic thresholding methods, but not in grey-scale analysis. CONCLUSION Automatic thresholding methods can be used to detect the difference in muscle echogenicity between CMT1A patients and controls. Echogenicity parameters correlate with the disease severity. SIGNIFICANCE Quantitative muscle echogenicity assessment by automatic thresholding methods shows potential as a surrogate marker of disease progression in CMT1A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takamasa Kitaoji
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Yu-Ichi Noto
- North Medical Center, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Yuta Kojima
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Yukiko Tsuji
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Toshiki Mizuno
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Masanori Nakagawa
- North Medical Center, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
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Shahrizaila N. Non-invasive electromyography as a disease biomarker: Are we only scratching the surface? Clin Neurophysiol 2021; 132:808-809. [PMID: 33558128 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2021.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nortina Shahrizaila
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia.
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